Capturing the heart of Leeds on camera

As any photographer knows, you have to put up with rough weather and early starts in order to capture the best shot possible.

And nobody knows this better than Giles Rocholl after his latest photographic assignment.

Giles Rocholl outside newly completed 21 Queen Street, Leeds.

Giles needed to be at the ready with his camera as the sun both broke and set to capture these striking Leeds images.

With 36 years of professional experience, the freelance photographer was tasked with capturing images of Yorkshire developments including the new First Direct Arena and the Trinity Shopping Centre.

He said: “In order to capture a diverse range of images I need to work at all times of day and night and be prepared for all weather conditions.

“Apart from capturing stunning images of the buildings themselves it is also important to capture the activity that goes on around each project and how it impacts the local community.

“Trinity was a particularly exciting project which has transformed the heart of Leeds.

“My involvement started in March 2008 and I visited the site regularly to take images of the on-going construction. It was a huge pleasure to see the final result completed in March 2013.

“Following the long recession, renewed activity in the construction sector around Leeds and Yorkshire demonstrates that the county is forging ahead with projects that enhance and address the modern demands of its population.”

Among the buildings Giles was tasked with shooting were the Temple Green Project in East Leeds, 21 Queens Street in the city centre (featured to the left) as well as Trinity Shopping Centre, pictured on its grand launch day in March 2013.

Elsewhere he has photographed the Hungate 2 development in York, The Cast at Doncaster and The Ron Cooke Hub, in Heslington East, York.

Trinity Shopping Centre celebrates its second birthday this month, having welcomed hundreds of thousands to the city.